Automatic locking movable bulkhead

ABSTRACT

A movable bulkhead assembly for a freight vehicle. Said bulkhead is movable along rails on opposite sides of the vehicle and has gravity actuated latch plates engageable with keeper notches in the rails to hold the bulkhead in a selected position.

United States Patent Sanders 5] Feb. 15, 1972 [54] AUTOMATIC LOCKINGMOVABLE 2,982,230 5/1961 Chapman ..105/369 B BULKHEAD 3,411,459 11/1968Hyatt ..l05/369 B 3,007,423 11 1961 Maharick ..l05 376 [72] sme,3,112,712 12/1963 ClSCO 105/376 60617 3,283,729 11/1966 Lamport et al.[22] Filed: May 4, 1970 3,520,256 7/1970 Gutridge ..l05/ 376 [21]APPLNO': 34352 Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hoffman Attorney-Sabin C.Bronson [52] U.S. Cl ..l05/376, 105/369 B [51] Int. Cl .1360]: 7/14 [57]ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 105/369 B, 376 A movable bulkhead assemblyfor a freight vehicle Said bulk head is movable along rails on oppositesides of the vehicle [56] Cited and has gravity actuated latch platesengageable with keeper UNITED STATES PATENTS notches in the rails tohold the bulkhead in a selected position.

3,017,842 l/l962 Nampa ..105/376 10 Claims, 6 Drawing FiguresPAIENTEBfEB 15 I972 3.641 .941

SHEET 1 [1F 3 INVENTOR J WES E. SANDERS BY v ATT'Y PATENTEBFEB 1 5 I972SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR WES E. SANDERS ATT'Y.

PATENTEDFEBw I972 SHEET 3 OF 3 mm mm WES E. SANDERS L5 @%Y AUTOMATICLOCKING MOVABLE BULKHEAD The present invention relates to improvementsin freight vehicles and more particularly to an improved bulkheadassembly for use in railway vehicles such as gondola cars.

The bulkheads in gondola cars are used to divide the car and restraincargo or lading such as sheet, plate or coiled steel againstlongitudinal movement during transit.

l-Ieretofore, such bulkhead assemblies have included two or four beltrails arranged in aligned pairs which are fastened along the sides ofthe vehicle. The belt rails served to maintain the bulkhead in anupright position and also to provide a keeper structure for locking thebulkhead against longitudinal movement. Such locking was generallyaccomplished by the manual insertion of pins through aligned openings inthe bulkhead and rails or by the application of lock blocks along theopposite marginal edges of the bulkhead. Both of these prior methods areaccomplished manually and frequently require the services of two men tolock the bulkhead in a fixed position.

These prior locking methods also frequently became dislodged duringtransit. This results in damage to the cargo and to the bulkhead.

By the present invention it is proposed to provide an improved bulkheadassembly including lengthwise extending rails mounted on the oppositesides of a vehicle and a bulkhead supported for movement on said rails.The bulkhead includes latching means which coact with keeper meansprovided on the rails. The latching means includes latch platespivotally mounted along the sides of the bulkhead so as to be positionedby gravity for latching engagement with the keeper means along therails. The latch means also includes means for retaining the latchplates out of engagement with the keeper means when the bulkhead ismoved along the rails.

in some of the more specific aspects of the invention, the bulkheadincludes a pair of sprocket wheels which are mounted along the oppositesides thereof. The sprocket wheels are engageable within openingsprovided in the rails for providing a positive drive during lengthwisemovement of the bulkhead. The keeper means which may be in the form ofnotches are spaced to receive the latch plates at fixed intervals alongthe length of the vehicle. To achieve a maximum number of lockedpositions of the bulkhead along the rails, two sets of lock plates areprovided with the centers substantially one-half the distance betweenthe centers of the keepers. The width of each of the keepers is suchthat only one of the sets of latch plates is engageable with any one ofthe keepers.

The gravity actuated latch plates along the sides of the bulkhead areactuated by a single actuating mechanism which may be accessible at thecenter of the bulkhead. The actuating mechanism is arranged so thatduring movement of the bulkhead the latch plates are positivelyrestrained out of engatement with the keepers.

Further features of the invention will be readily apparent from thefollowing specification, claims and accompanying drawings, wherein likereference characters indicate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a railway gondola carembodying the bulkhead assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a gondola car and the bulkhead assemblyshowing the latching means in an unlocked position.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the bulkhead taken generally along the lines3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view similar to FIG. 2 butshowing the latching means in the locked position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the bulkhead with the latchingmeans in the locked position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the rails which are mounted alongthe sides of the vehicle.

Referring now to the drawings, the bulkhead assembly 10 of the presentinvention is shown incorporated in a railway vehicle such as a gondolacar 11. Gondola cars of the type with which the bulkhead assembly areused, haul steelplates, coils and the like and the cars may be suitablycovered by a cover unit (not shown). The bulkhead assembly 10 must beruggedly constructed to withstand the abuse usually associated with suchuse.

The bulkhead assembly 10 comprises generally a rail subassembly 12extending along each side of the vehicle 11 and a bulkhead 13 movablelengthwise of the vehicle on the rail subassembly 12.

The rail subassembly 12 includes an upper pair of rails 16- 16 and alower pair of rails 17-17. The upper rails 16- 16 are each formed from achannel member of substantial cross section and include a web 18, andtwo depending legs 19. The free edges of the legs 19 are fixed to thesides of the vehicle as by welding.

As shown, the upper one of the legs 19 is provided with a plurality ofequispaced openings 21. The spacing between the openings 21 correspondsto the pitch of the sprockets and the spacing is the pitch of thesprocket wheel and may be about 2 inches. Along the lower leg 19 thereis formed a plurality of equispaced openings or notches 22 which extendinto the webs 18. The notches 22 serve as keepers for latching thebulkhead 13 as more fully to be explained hereinafter.

The lower rails 17-17 are also channels, with each channel including aweb 23 and legs 24-24. The edges of the legs 24-24 are fixed to thevehicle side as by welding. The lower I legs 24 and the web 23immediately contiguous thereto are formed with keeper notches 26. Thekeeper openings or notches 26 are in vertical alignment with the keeperopenings or notches 22 in the rails 16-16.

The bulkhead 13 includes an upper channel 27, a lower channel 28, andside channels 29. The channels 27 28 and 29 are of substantially Ushapedcross section and are disposed so that the legs extend outwardly toprovide space to accommodate a latching mechanism 31 therein as morefully to be explained hereinafter.

Face sheets 32 and 33 are welded or otherwise fastened to the legs 30 ofthe channels 27, 28 and 29. Extending between each of the side channels29 and journaled in bushings 34 fixed to the bight portions of thechannels is a rotary shaft 36-see F 1G. 4. Each end of the shaft36projects outwardly of the side channels 29-29 and has sprocket wheels 37fixed thereon. The sprocket wheels 37-37 are rideable on the upper rails16-16 with the angularly spaced sprockets 38 seatable within theopenings 21. In this manner the sprocket wheels 37 serve to provide apositive drive for moving the bulkhead 13 along the rail beams 16-16.One of the sprockets is attached to a telescoping keyed shaft to allowvariance in width of sidewalls of the car. The sprockets on the sameshaft insure that the bulkhead does not twist out of per pendicularposition to the sidewalls as it is being moved.

The latching mechanism 31 includes two sets of latch plates 39-39 and41-41 along each of the sides of the bulkhead for engagement with thekeeper notches 22 and 26. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the latch plates 39and 41 are each of generally triangular outline but each has aprojecting locking nose 42 which is seatable within the notches 22 and26. Pivot pins 43 pivotally support the latch plates 39-39 and 41-41 onthe bulkhead as more fully to be explained hereinafter. The pivot pins43 are disposed so that the remaining portions of the plates 39 and 41serve as a counterbalance whereby the locking noses 42 are normallyurged by the force of gravity toward the keeper notches 22 and 26.

A manual latch-operating mechanism 44 is provided to retain the latchplates 39 and 41 out of engagement with the keeper notches 22 and 26during lengthwise movement of the bulkhead 13 in the car. Thelatch-operating mechanism 44 includes an actuating handle 46 which ispivotally supported at a distance spaced from one of the terminal endsby a pivot pin 47 carried by a pair of legs 48 of a bracket 49. Thebracket 49 is fixed to an upwardly projecting U-shaped handle 51fastened to the upper bulkhead channel 27. The actuating handle 46includes a projecting grip 52 fixed to the other end.

One end of a link 53 is pivotally connected to the opposite end of thehandle 46 by a pin 54. The other end of the link 53 is connected to oneend of actuating levers 56 by means of a pin 57. The actuating levers 56are rockably supported intermediate the ends thereof on a pin 58 carriedby a bracket 59 fixed between the legs of the upper channel 27. At theopposite end, the actuating levers 56 are each pivotally connected tocross bars 60 by means of pins 61 carried by brackets 62 as shown inFIG. 3. Threaded into the ends of the crossbar 60 are lifting rods 63.The lifting rods 63 are selectively positioned and clamped in the crossbars 60 by means of nuts 64. It is to be noted that the rods 63 aredisposed within the legs of the side channels 29-29 so as to beprotected against abuse.

Fixed in vertically spaced relationship to the lifting rods 63 areinwardly projecting upper blocks 66 and lower blocks 67. Engageablebetween the upper pairs of blocks 66 and lower pairs of blocks 67 alongeach side of the bulkhead are transversely extending plate liftingshafts 68 and 69, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the platelifting shafts 68 and 69 are respectively accommodated within generallyelongated and aligned slots 71-71 and 72-72 formed respectively in thelatch plates 39-39 and 41-41.

In the unlatched position of the latch plates 39-39 and 41-41, thelifting rods 63 and the blocks 66 and 67 fixed thereto are operative toposition the shafts 68 and 69 so that they are disposed in engagementwith the upper surface of the slots 71-71 and 72-72 as shown in FIG. 2.In this position of the latch plate lifting shafts 68 and 69 the latchplates 39-39 and 41-41 are restrained against outward pivotal movementtoward the rails 16 and 17 for engagement in the notches 22 and 26.

In connection with the latch plates 39-39 and 41-41, it is noted thatthe plates are housed within latch plate support housings 73. Thehousings 73 may be made by casting and are each of identical structureand suitably fixed within openings formed in the side channels 29-29 asby welding. The housings 73 each includes a horizontal lip 77 having aportion extending below the respective rails 16 and 17. The lip 77includes shoulders 78 along each side which serve to guide the lowerends of the lifting bars 63 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A pair of spacedside-by-side openings 79 accommodate the latch plates 39 and 41. At theupper portion of the housing 73 an intermediate web 81 provides aconvenient mounting for the pivot pins 43 supporting the latch plates 39and 41 along the sides of the bulkhead 13.

In operation, the latching mechanism 31 is in the position shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 with the manual actuating handle 46 elevated so that thelatch plates 39 and 41 are retracted as heretofore explained. In thisposition of the latching mechanism 31, the bulkhead 13 may be rolledalong the rails to a desired position. When in the desired position, thelatch actuating handle 46 is rotated clockwise to the position shown inFIG. 4. Clockwise rotation of the handle 46 causes the link 53 to beelevated so that the actuating levers 56 are rocked about the pivot pins58 to lower the outer ends of the levers 56. This causes the cross arms60 connected to the outer ends of the levers to also be lowered wherebythe lifting rods 63 and the lifting blocks 66 and 67 move downwardly outof engagement with the lifting shafts 68 and 69. The lifting shafts 68and 69 are then free to slide in the elongated slots 71 and 72. Thuswhen one of the noses 42 of either one of the latch plates 39- 39 or41-41 is in alignment with a keeper notch 22 and 26, respectively, thecounter balanced end is operative by the force of gravity to seat thenoses 42 in the notches. The bulkhead 13 is thus locked along both sidesto prevent further lengthwise movement.

As mentioned heretofore, the notches 22 and 26 are capable ofaccommodating only one of the sets of the latch plates 39-39 and 41-41so that the other remains out of engagement as shown in FIG. 4. Suchrelative movement of the latch plates of each set 39-39 and 41-41 ismade possible by the configuration of the slots 71 and 72. Moreover, thelengthwise Since the latches are pivotally mounted, they will accom- Vmodate side rails which are not exactly equidistant apart along lengthof car.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it is believed one versed in the art may readily understandthe operation of the structure as set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. In a freight vehicle having spaced sidewalls, a bulkhead assemblycomprising a pair of lengthwise extending side rails mounted along eachof said side walls and including a plurality of lengthwise spacedopenings, a bulkhead extending transversely between said side walls,means movably supporting said bulkhead on said rails for lengthwisemovement thereon, latch means mounted on said bulkhead for latching saidbulkhead in a selective position lengthwise of said vehicle, said latchmeans including latch plate means freely pivotally mounted along thesides of said bulkhead so that the latch plate means are positioned bythe force of gravity for latching engagement within said openings, andmeans on said bulkhead for overcoming the force of gravity to retainsaid latch plate means out of said latching position whereby saidbulkhead may be moved lengthwise of said vehicle.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said rails each includesa plurality of lengthwise spaced openings, and said latch plate meansincludes noses seatable with in said openings.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said bulkhead includessprocket wheel means mounted thereon, and wherein said rails include aplurality of sprocket openings for receiving the sprockets on saidsprocket wheels.

4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein there are a plurality oflatch plates at each of said openings, spaced relative to the spacing ofthe openings in said rails to provide locking positions at each of saidopenings corresponding to the number of latch plates.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein there are twoside-by-side latch plate means of which only one of said latch platemeans is seatable within one of said openings, and wherein means connectsaid two side-by-side latch plates for movement relative to each other.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said connecting meanscomprises a lifting pin means slidable in elongated slots formed in eachof said latch plate means so as to permit limited independent movementof said latch plate means between an aligned position out of seatingengagement with said openings and a position wherein only one of saidlatch plate means is seated in a notch.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said lifting pin isactuated by lifting means mounted for vertical move ment along the sidesof said bulkhead.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said lifting means aresimultaneously actuated by actuating linkage including an actuatinghandle mounted on the upper end of said bulkhead.

9. In a freight vehicle having spaced sidewalls, a bulkhead assemblycomprising lengthwise extending rails mounted along the spaced sidewallsand including a plurality of lengthwise spaced openings, a bulkheadextending transversely between said sidewalls, means movably supportingsaid bulkhead for lengthwise movement of said vehicle, latch meansmounted on said bulkhead to selectively position said v bulkheadlengthwise of said vehicle, said latch means including side-by-sidelatch plate means freely pivotally mounted on said bulkhead so as to bemovable under the influence of gravity to a position wherein one of saidlatch plate means is seatable within one of said openings and said otherlatch plate means is disposed adjacent thereto out of seating engagementwith an opening, said latch plate means including a pair of alignableslots, and lifting pin means extending through said slots so as topennit said latch plate means to move relative to plate means arelocated on the opposite sides of said bulkhead and wherein said latchplate means includes actuating linkage connected to said lift pins forsimultaneously unseating and maintaining said latch plate means out ofseating engagement with said openings.

1. In a freight vehicle having spaced sidewalls, a bulkhead assemblycomprising a pair of lengthwise extending side rails mounted along eachof said side walls and including a plurality of lengthwise spacedopenings, a bulkhead extending transversely between said side walls,means movably supporting said bulkhead on said rails for lengthwisemovement thereon, latch means mounted on said bulkhead for latching saidbulkhead in a selective position lengthwise of said vehicle, said latchmeans including latch plate means freely pivotally mounted along thesides of said bulkhead so that the latch plate means are positioned bythe force of gravity for latching engagement within said openings, andmeans on said bulkhead for overcoming the force of gravity to retainsaid latch plate means out of said latching position whereby saidbulkhead may be moved lengthwise of said vehicle.
 2. The invention asdefined in claim 1 wherein said rails each includes a plurality oflengthwise spaced openings, and said latch plate means includes nosesseatable with in said openings.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2wherein said bulkhead includes sprocket wheel means mounted thereon, andwherein said rails include a plurality of sprocket openings forreceiving the sprockets on said sprocket wheels.
 4. The invention asdefined in claim 2 wherein there are a plurality of latch plates at eachof said openings, spaced relative to the spacing of the openings in saidrails to provide locking positions at each of said openingscorresponding to the number of latch plates.
 5. The invention as definedin claim 4 wherein there are two side-by-side latch plate means of whichonly one of said latch plate means is seatable within one of saidopenings, and wherein means connect said two side-by-side latch platesfor movement relative to each other.
 6. The invention as defined inclaim 5 wherein said connecting means comprises a lifting pin meansslidable in elongated slots formed in each of said latch plate means soas to permit limited independent movement of said latch plate meansbetween an aligned position out of seating engagement with said openingsand a position wherein only one of said latch plate means is seated in anotch.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said lifting pinis actuated by lifting means mounted for vertical movement along thesides of said bulkhead.
 8. The invention as defined in claim 7 whereinsaid lifting means are simultaneously actuated by actuating linkageincluding an actuating handle mounted on the upper end of said bulkhead.9. In a freight vehicle having spaced sidewalls, a bulkhead assemblycomprising lengthwise extending rails mounted along the spaced sidewallsand including a plurality of lengthwise spaced openings, a bulkheadextending transversely between said sidewalls, means movably supportingsaid bulkhead for lengthwise movement of said vehicle, latch meansmounted on said bulkhead to selectively position said bulkheadlengthwise of said vehicle, said latch means including side-by-sidelatch plate means freely pivotally mounted on said bulkhead so as to bemovable under the influence of gravity to a position wherein one of saidlatch plate means is seatable within one of said openings and said otherlatch plate means is disposed adjacent thereto out of seating engagementwith an opening, said latch plate means including a pair of alignableslots, and lifting pin means extending through said slots so as topermit said latch plate means to move relative to each other from analigned position wherein said latch plate means are each maintained outof seating engagement with said openings, to another position whereinsaid one of said latch plate means is seated in an opening and saidother latch plate means is located out of seating engagement with saidopening.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said latchplate means are located on the opposite sides of said bulkhead andwherein said latch plate means includes actuating linkage connected tosaid lift pins for simultaneously unseating and maintaining said latchplate means out of seating engagement with said openings.